Battle of the Paddles
by: Marion Tuason, Pinoy Fitness Correspondent
Kayak Enthusiasts troop to Anvaya Cove for 1st Leg of Philippine Kayaking Series.
The rainy season may be just around the corner but it’s never too late to enjoy one of the interesting event of the year. For some, the perfect summer getaway is to frolic under the sun, swimming by the sea, and getting tanned on the beach. But for others, this is also the perfect time to engage in sports and not only sports but aquasport, in particular, kayak.
Kayak is now starting to penetrate the Filipino sports community. To prove its gaining popularity, paddlers from different parts of the archipelago trooped to the beach for the Anvaya Cove Kayak Explore, part of the 1st Leg of Philippine Kayaking Series last June 1-2, 2013 and Pinoy Fitness was there to support the event.
Twenty two pairs of paddlers competed against each other for the 25K kayak race, the main highlight of the event. They raced against the tides from shores of Anvaya Cove of Morong, Bataan to the coast of the Lighthouse Marina Resort in Subic Bay and vice versa.
After a hearty lunch courtesy of the Department of Tourism and enough time to recuperate sore muscles, the paddlers managed the remaining 12.5km stretch to cap the event. However, finishing the race became harder for the participants as bigger waves start to gush against them.
Zambales Natives Emerge
Before the sun could set, Rodolfo Pareles, 24, and RobertoDela Cruz, 38, bagged the first place completing the race with a time of 3:28:34. Although they appear to have prepared for the event, the duo admits the opposite. Their present jobs as well as other factors became a challenge: “We had no prior training,” Pareles said.
The kayak event was also their most recent competition. “The last time we joined a race it was November 28 of last year,” Pareles shared.
Truth be told, the Zambales team just learned how to kayak June of last year. Kayaking for not more than a year, the two had loved the sport making it as their past time. “For us, kayak became our hobby,” shared Farrales. As a matter of fact, Farrales and Dela Cruz were not expecting to win. They were just hoping that they would take home the second or third place.
The duo will share with the prize money that they won. Farrales said he will use the money to help finance the house they are building. On the other hand, Dela Cruz shared he will use his share to add for his children’s school needs.
The race was also a close fight between Farrales-Dela Cruz duo and Romeo Castro and Jeffrey Sison tandem, which placed second with a time of 3:30:06. On the other hand, Emmanuel Relos and Raquel Espino claimed the third place with a time of 3:42:38.
Kayak for health and leisure
One of the goals of the event is to introduce kayaking as a sport for wellness and leisure.
Aside from the 25K Kayak race, there were also other kayak-related events held. These events included the 6K Anvaya Beach Run-Kayak Relay, 3K Anvaya Cove Kayak Novice Race, and Crazy 8’s Kayak Slalom.
Plaza and Dalamas topped the 6K Anvaya Beach Run-Kayak Relay. Canlavas-Lavidia pair, and Sandoval -Joyno tandem placed second and third respectively.
Meanwhile, the Bolotante twins brought home the first place for the 3K Anvaya Cove Kayak Novice Race. Placing second was the Lim-Joyno team up followed by the Bonador-Mandap finishing third.
Future kayak enthusiasts also took the chance to join the Crazy 8’s Kayak Slalom. The Cuerdo partners took the first spot for the said event. On the other hand, the Cuerdo-Mallari tandem and Betia-Villarin pair claimed the second and third place respectively.
There were also clinics and practice runs to let aspiring kayak enthusiasts enjoy the sport. These included the Stand Up Paddle (SUP) Clinic and Practice Runs, and a Kayak Clinic. The Kayak Clinic also served as a basic kayak course for the participants who joined the 3K Anvaya Cove Novice Race.
For the environment
The Anvaya Cove Kayak Explore goes beyond the pleasure of kayaking. It also served as an event to introduce their advocacy in conserving the environment.
Participants were given the opportunity to contribute in saving the environment. As such, participants were given firsthand exposure by way of an eco-tour composed of different activities such as mangrove planting, coastal clean-up and save the pawikan all in the Morong, Bataan area. After the eco-touring, the Galunggong Festival commenced in the afternoon that showcased different cuisines using the famous galunggong fish.
According to Anvaya Cove’s General Manager George Bernad Cadhit, they plan to make the Kayak Explore an annual event as a result of the success of the said competition.
The Anvaya Cove Kayak Explore was organized by Sun and Sea Sports Systems, Lighthouse Marina Resort, and the Philippine Kayaking Association.
View more Event Pictures -> Click Here
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